SMC In Focus

SMC In Focus

A bi-monthly newsletter connecting the Santa Monica College community. Celebrating endless possibilities, innovation, and resilience.

Expanding the Gateway, Enabling Dreams

Volume VIII, Issue 5, October 24, 2022
For more than 90 years, Santa Monica College has continued to exemplify the community college promise—of making higher education and its by-product of opportunity available and accessible to all. SMC in Focus celebrates that legacy, through the stories of SMC to UC Berkeley transfer Brandon Sanchez and journalism major Jessica Dupree who took a leap of faith to make her own dreams come true. Also, a highlight of an exciting new program-in-the-works Aquaculture and a free noncredit Certified Nursing Assistant program. Enjoy!

Brandon Sanchez

Gritty Start, Glossy Finish

A Salvadoran immigrant washing dishes in a West Hollywood restaurant, Brandon Sanchez never imagined he could be a professional photographer. It all started with ESL classes at SMC. Today, he’s an art student at UC Berkeley.

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Aquaculture

Aquacultural Revolution

Santa Monica College’s new Aquaculture certificate program will provide career opportunities that grow the economy while promoting underwater sustainability for a healthier planet.

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Certified Nursing Assistant Program

A New Path for Nursing Assistants

One of SMC’s newest noncredit certificate courses (absolutely free to students), the Certified Nursing Assistant Program seeks to fill a yawning workforce gap, and give deserving students a pathway to a better life. 

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Travis Grant

Bragging Rights

An SMC student film is a finalist in a Russo Brothers-organized competition. A research analyst shares her struggle with eczema w/Pfizer & CNN. The SMC Library gets a gift of art from a former student. 

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Jessica Dupree and Beyonce

Higher Power

SMC student Jessica L. Dupree combined her belief in herself with her faith in God to follow her dreams of becoming a public relations powerhouse. 

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SMC In the News

SMC Student is White House News Photographers Association's "Student Still Photog. of the Year"

Matika Wilbur's "Project 562" at SMC

Santa Monica Review Launches Fall 2022 Issue

SMC Transfer Student Overcomes Hurdles to Reach Sports Medicine Path

SMC Debate Team Wins

SMC Film Students Recognized at DTLA Film Festival

"Leaving the Factory" trailer
SMC Alumni Stories